Many a scheme from BSNL

BANGALORE: Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited's Bangalore Telecom District has come out with many schemes to promote BSNL's landline and mobile connections, including free installation of new landline connections and free SIM cards to prepaid mobile customers who purchase recharge coupons worth Rs. 2,000 or more.

BTD's Principal General Manager (PGM) S. Ramalingam told presspersons here on Friday that new landline connections would be provided without the installation charge of Rs. 500 to those who book connections up to March 31.

Besides offering a rent-free second landline for customers whose six months' average bill was Rs. 1,500 or more, BSNL has extended the STD facility at Re. 1 per minute across the country to all customers without additional security deposit or specific request.

It has plans to install six more RSUs before March 2007 adding 10,000 more lines. It was also offering a free post-paid mobile connection to broadband customers till May 15, Mr. Ramalingam added.

Upward trend

Though there was a decline in the number of landline connections (presently at 9.17 lakh), BSNL has registered an upward trend since last three months, Mr. Ramalingam said. He said the corporation would install 20 more telephone exchanges in BTD to offer more landline connections. BSNL has introduced interactive voice response system (IVRS) for directory enquiry on 197. So, people need not wait for a long time to get in touch with the operator.

The IVRS would provide address of a particular telephone number with an option of the details being sent through an SMS.

K. Chandrashekhara, General Manager (Mobile Services), said BTD has geared up to offer prepaid mobile connections on demand.

While post-paid connection was available on demand, prepaid connections are available hassle-free after increasing the capacity with the installation of 30 more transmission towers in the city during the last few months.

Additional towers

While BSNL had 16.1 lakh mobile customers in the State, it would erect 300 more towers across the State to increase customer base. The city would have 48 more towers, besides the existing 518, within two months, Mr. Chandrashekhara added.

BSNL's Plan 100 post-paid mobile connection at a monthly rent of Rs. 100 is extended to all with calls made to any BSNL number within the State charged at Re. 1 per minute.

The scheme hitherto was open to employees of State and Central governments and PSUs.